Glad you liked them -- thanks for the kind words, Poladot.

Excellent quote, Michael Digital...and results to match ! :thumbup:

Here are a couple of pics shot with 2 different compact cameras...can't lug a dslr everywhere with me, can I ?

Household pet


Street shot

[quote=amyinsparta][quote=Bobgood1]While Glass lenses have been the norm since time began, I have wondered WHY some photogs. put down plastic optics ? The have been a " God-send," in weight saving for eye glasses. They save a lot of weight in camera handling. I wonder if it isn't just a " Purist," thing to say Glass is better or the security of the added weight. ( As in stronger ) Any thoughts ?[/quote

I have what I can afford. I don't even think of how much better my shots could be if I had a 2 grand lens, or even an $800 lens because I simply don't want to spend that much money on photography. So I stick with my kit lenses, learn as much as I can and do the best I can. I do have a Canon 50mm macro lens that I can see is sharper than the kit lens. However, it isn't a IS lens and so really I can't do as much with it as I thought I could.I'm not young and steady anymore. Tripods and monopods don't help when I have to lay on the ground, shoot straight up, or part leaves to get at the bug, or any number of other situations in which a pod of any kind is useless. So I take the best picture I can, crop and fix, and I'm happy. I don't plan on selling any, and my family and friends think I'm a professional!! works for me! :mrgreen:[/quote]

Amy, I am least concerned with the kit you use. All I know is that WHEN IT COMES TO COMPOSITION, EXPOSURE, AND ARTISTIC MERIT, YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS HAVE BEEN CONSISTENTLY OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY. They run rings around photos taken with far costlier gear. You are an extremely artistic and talented person, and it shows in your photos. No amount of $$$ can buy imagination and artistic instinct !! :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Do not despair, Pedrohog. Some of my best photos have been shot with the 18-55 and 18-105 kit lenses. These lenses are rated very highly by the cognoscenti. I have seen photographs shot with the humble 18-55 mm lens and the 55-200mm kit zoom that surpass any images I've seen shot with far costlier lenses. Kit lenses are superb for what they are meant to do: take pictures. They have limitations, true; go find workarounds for them.
Do not allow yourself to be demoralised by those who console themselves that since they have bought costly gear, they must be taking great pictures. Nothing could be further from the truth. Moreover, post-processing plays a major role when it comes to the digital image. Darkroom skills have always been of crucial importance, even in the days of film.
Costly gear is tougher and has more features, but it does not come with a built-in guarantee as regards picture quality. THAT will depend on your skill and creativity.
So just pick up whatever gear you have and go out and take photographs with artistic merit, unfazed by mere technical nitpicking. If cost of equipment = picture quality, it would be best for all those with lesser gear than Leica or Canon 1DX to just stay home. Yet, that is patently untrue. Lens snobbery is not going to get anyone good pictures; only skill and brains will do that. Get to know your gear, its limitations and strengths, and use that knowledge to create images to be proud of.

Wonderful shot, angler ! Captures the essence of childhood, when make believe IS real !! :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Very nice set, ottimista ! Come to think of it, I haven't seen one in ages, what to speak of photographing one :-(

Thank you, Marilyn -- you are always so kind :D

Ahem...with a lovely girl ! The D5100 did the photographer right proud, too !! :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Wonderful photograph, GWR100 :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Page 2: Ditto, romanticf16. Along with the 80~200 mm f. 4.5 zoom-Nikkor and the 55 mm f. 3.5 micro-Nikkor, the 105 mm f. 2.5 tele-Nikkor was one of the greatest lenses ever made for 35 mm photography. Thirty years ago, I made some of my most treasured pictures with this trio of legendary Nikkors.

Good article, makes perfect sense. Thank you for this, Jerry !

Very grateful for your kind comments, Joyfullee :D

Wow thanks, vicksart -- very kind of you to look / comment. I am happy to share with cognoscenti like yourself and others on UHH :D

Thank you, Horseart :D Love your work :thumbup: :thumbup:

Thanks for the warmth of your comments, Dryart38 ! Yes, God has indeed been kind and merciful. Now all we need is a groom :-) Unfortunately, she just doesn't seem to be able to connect with anyone in her age group, and in any case, she's always into art, books, animal welfare and what have you. Beautiful, brainy women have a rough time, I guess. She's so 'girl next door' but most men might find her a bit intimidating, dunno why ... :-(